Competitive bicycle game

ABSTRACT

A bicycle game, is provided including a boundary wherein at least two riders each operating a bicycle each compete with the other to keep within the boundary, while avoiding contact with the other and taking steps, one step being assessed to the rider each time he either puts a foot down, crosses over the boundary with a front tire, or causes contact with another rider resulting in the other rider having to take a step, a rider being eliminated from the game once he has take a predetermined number of steps.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 119(e) Applicant hereby claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/367,109, filed Mar. 25, 2002.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention.

[0003] This invention relates to games. More particularly, it relates to a bicycle game and boundary arrangement wherein the rider is eliminated upon the taking of a number of steps.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art.

[0005] Bicycle games traditionally rely on the use of a system of barriers or complicated electronic devices for the players to tabulate a score or achieve the objective of the game. Examples of such systems are provided in U.S. Pat. Nos.: 4,559,015 (rubber track with built-in buzzing mechanism); 6,053,824 (portable obstacle course); 3,759,516 (horizontally extending handle bars and rotable members for passing through); and 3,911,857 (course obstacle and wheel actuated signal). However, none of the foregoing provides a game which can be played inexpensively by many players without the necessity of supplying a system of barriers or devices to achieve an object of the game.

[0006] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a simple and inexpensive bicycle game which can be played any number of players at any location. The present invention satisfies these needs.

SUMMARY

[0007] The present invention provides a bicycle game including a boundary wherein at least two riders each operating a bicycle each compete with the other to keep within the boundary, while avoiding contact with the other and taking steps, one step being assessed to the rider each time he either puts a foot down, crosses over the boundary with a front tire, or causes contact with another rider resulting in the other rider having to take a step, a rider being eliminated from the game once he has take a predetermined number of steps.

[0008] Unless specifically defined otherwise, all technical or scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, the preferred methods and materials are now described.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] The present invention provides a bicycle game which is inexpensive to play by any number of players. The game requires no contact between players riding within any defined boundary. The object of the game is for the players to ride within the boundary without incurring a given number of “steps”, such as three. Once a player has incurred, for example, three “steps”, that player is removed from the game. The game is over when only one player is remaining in the game.

EXAMPLE

[0010] The following example demonstrates use of the game according to the invention herein in a competition entitled SEVENS3STEP.

[0011] A player playing for him/herself or on a team who initiates contact in which another player is forced to place a step, the step will be taken from the player whom initiated the contact, unless that player's bicycle is traveling backwards (in reverse) when such contact occurs. Leaning on a player is considered contact. Unintentional contact with no harm is no foul. Any intentional contact will result in disqualification. A player may take another players line away only if it will not instigate any impending contact. Players uniting against another player is considered unethical, but is allowed. A player cannot take another players line away in a yellow zone, if the court is so equipped. Tire to tire contact is allowed after three minutes of “stale” play but only from a stopped or slowed position.

[0012] A player will call out their “step” immediately upon receiving one. The game is officially “game off” three seconds after the step is taken to conclude any pending conflicts elsewhere on the court. The game resumes after the player(s) receiving the step(s) calls “game on” and a second player on the court calls “game on”. With a minimum of three players on the court, a player who rounds the cone five times (if the court is so equipped) can deduct one step for that round of play only. A player must complete three of the cones after at least one step is taken. A player is out of competition for that round after “stepping” three times.

[0013] Any player with an equipment failure has up to three minutes to correct any such problem. The game is off until failure is corrected or the player forfeits the round.

[0014] Referee's calls, if the court is so equipped, on the court are final.

[0015] If the court is equipped with walls, leaning on a wall is permitted for one second, once per pass. If the court is equipped with tunnels, a player may bounce off the walls for an unlimited number of times.

[0016] All players are required to have bar ends on their bicycles. Players under 18 years of age are required to have a helmet. Any player under 21 years of age, proven to play any rounds of the game without a helmet or bar ends will be permanently disqualified from any sanctioned event until they reach the age of 21.

[0017] Sanctioned games may be held by private subcontractors with the right to hold said events. Different classes of riders may be allowed according to age, sex and bicycle type. A competition game will consist of ten players, playing seven rounds to determine 1^(st) through 3^(rd) place. Subcontractors will input the riders results into the database. Riders are responsible for verification of the information.

[0018] All players receive one blue point for each competition entered. All winners in the first six mini-rounds of a competition receive one green point for each round won. All losers in the first six mini rounds of a competition receive one red point for each round lost. The three winners (20 player competition . . . in round seven) receive an additional: one green point for 3^(rd) place two green points for 2^(nd) place and three green points for the winner. All riders will also be credited one point for accumulating 3-step-less mini-rounds. Only mini rounds that the rider eventually won/placed in will be counted. These points will have a future purpose.

[0019] With the riders providing their own riding jersey of their choosing, the blue number will be first, followed by green and then the red number. “Step-less” numbers will be placed underneath the previous three. If a blue, green or red jersey color is used, another contrasting color (to the riders choosing) will be used while keeping the order of numbers the same.

[0020] Subcontractors will have the option of operating any other kind of business along with 3-step that they desire . . . blessed by future stipulations to be set by the Body. Subcontractors will hold at least two events each month respective to rider demographics pertaining to demand, and grow accordingly to meet said demand. They will have the current championship court available for riders at any sanctioned event. Subcontractors will vote for one representative in their area to speak as a group pertaining to further revisions of the game, including, without limitation, any and all aspects of the above, per the rider(s) impute. These representatives will be the Sanctioning Body. The Sanctioning Body will also rule on where permanent courts can be set up pertaining to demographics.

[0021] The foregoing description is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Furthermore, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction as described above. Accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims which follow. 

I claim
 1. A bicycle game, comprising a boundary wherein at least two riders each operating a bicycle each compete with the other to keep within the boundary, while avoiding contact with the other and taking steps, one step being assessed to the rider each time he either puts a foot down, crosses over the boundary with a front tire, or causes contact with another rider resulting in the other rider having to take a step, a rider being eliminated from the game once he has take a predetermined number of steps.
 2. The bicycle game according to claim 1 wherein the predetermined number of steps is three. 